Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Cartoonists Northwest is holding a free-wheeling symposium on issues surrounding writing, particularly within the wide sphere of cartooning and sequential art storytelling. The first get-together is Wed., Oct. 1, from 7 pm to 9:30.

We’ll discuss tactics, both visual and verbal. All aspects of storytelling will be embraced. We’ll take turns bringing up issues that we have with our own writing, and open it up for discussion. The exact format may depend on how many people show up. We may take a segment of time on each artist's work, to offer critiques/ problem solving/ and pointing to what works. Jeff Hamill is our host, and at the first meeting he’ll offer an intro to Scott McCloud’s works, "Writing for Comics with Peter David" and "Making Comics". Includes handouts! So, whether your focus is strip writing or figuring out how to squeeze Tolstoy's "War and Peace" into six single-panel gags, the CNW Writers Group may help you get to the next level!

Location: 4903 Fremont Avenue NorthSeattle, WA 98103

Directions:

FROM I-5: Take the 45th St/50th Street Exit (I think it's Exit 169) and head west on 50th Street for 1.5 miles. Turn left at Fremont Avenue North (just past the tiny underpass). Go one block, then park. We're the big blue house on the NW corner.

FROM 99: Head north until you get to the Wallingford Zoo exit (it's about 1 mile past the Aurora Bridge). Go to the bottom of the ramp and turn left (going west) after waiting about 30 minutes for the light to change. Go under Aurora (Hwy 99) and turn right at the first light, which will be Fremont Avenue North. Go to the corner of 49th and Fremont Ave N; we will be the big blue house on the NW corner. (It's actually the same big blue house if you come the other way, too.)

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Here’s how to spot a cartoonist hurrying to the September meeting. You will notice several horizontal speed lines and small dust clouds emanating from his or her speeding feet. Be ready to dodge the sweat droplets that fly from the cartoonist’s brow, the result of exertion and worry about arriving late. In this anxious state, it is inadvisable to get in the way of the cartoonist. Anyone who dares may be subjected to a vicious torrent of small stars, curlicues, saturns, and angry scribbles.

Do you know the secret cartoonist shorthand for describing the above scene? Well, if not, don’t plewd it! Come to the September meeting and learn to speak and draw in the high-brow artsy fartsy language of the cartoonist, and a whole lot more symbolic nonsense, as we review the hilarious language of comics. Who knows, we may come up with some brand new secret code words of our very own!

Ask not for whom the Bell Con tolls! It tolls for THEE! …and for your products! Yes, members can sell their wares at the CNW table at Bell Con (Sept. 27). CNW traditionally asks for a mere 10% of sales to help defray costs. Bring your salable products and drop them off at the September meeting. We’ll transport them to Bellingham. This also means we need a few good volunteer-minded members to drive and help manage the table. Please offer your time and transportation to help make the CNW presence at Bell Con a ringing success!

PROMO A-GO-GO! Imagine yourself included in a classy CNW promo newsletter with Technicolor cover, and featuring member art and short bios. Members interested in shameless self-promotion (isn’t that ALL of us??) should not miss this opportunity. To that worthy end, be it known that all September meeting attendees (or those submitting artwork [200 dpi tiff] to Dick Rogers by Sept. 20) will be given priority for this special edition Penstuff-like CNW promotional tool.

Bye-Bye Bylaws? In this season of decision-making, it’s time to review the proposed changes to CNW bylaws once more, and then VOTE to accept or reject them! If you need a refresher, go to cnwnews.blogspot.com. Find the May 28 entry to see all the by-laws and changes thereto. Come to the meeting and be a part of this important step.

And if we have time….anyone for a comic jam incorporating as much comicana as possible? Bring pens!